Yogi Adityanath Questions Congress-NC Alliance Ahead of J&K Elections

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticized the Congress party's alliance with the National Conference ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Adityanath raised concerns about national security and the commitment to the Indian Constitution. Polling starts on September 18 and will be held in three phases.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath questioned the Congress party's decision to form a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir with the National Conference, which advocated for dialogue between India and Pakistan in its manifesto. The Election Commission has scheduled polling in three phases, beginning on September 18.

Reacting to the announcement, Adityanath told ANI on Saturday, 'This election is not only important for the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also for every Indian who believes in democracy. The Congress, which is leading the INDI Alliance, has formed a coalition with the National Conference of the Abdullah Family and once again placed its anti-national plan before the country.' Adityanath stated that the pre-poll alliance raises significant questions about national security and commitment to the Indian Constitution.

'Recently, the National Conference released its manifesto,' Adityanath added. 'This alliance raises big questions about national security and their loyalty to the Indian Constitution.' He criticized the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over the National Conference's decision to start trade across the Line of Control, one of the 12 guarantees in its manifesto.

'I want to ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi whether the Congress supports the National Conference's announcement to have a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir,' Adityanath said. 'Does the Congress Party and Rahul Gandhi support the decision to start trade across the Line of Control and support terrorism and its ecosystem from across the border? Congress should answer this.'

Omar Abdullah, addressing reporters on August 19 in Srinagar after releasing the party manifesto, stated, 'We have always been in favor of dialogue, and in the future, we will remain in favor. As a responsible party and being in government, we will do everything to encourage that dialogue. What is wrong with encouraging dialogue.'

The Congress and the National Conference had previously fought the Lok Sabha elections together, with the National Conference winning two seats and the Congress securing none. The last date for filing nomination papers is August 27, and polling will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with results announced on October 4.

A total of 90 assembly constituencies will go to the polls, with 24 seats up for election in the first phase. The last assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir took place in 2014.

(With inputs from agencies.)